Ok I have to admit. I had a secret agenda in wanting to come here. I live across the street and my hope was that by putting this place on the map, it would increase the popularity and therefore gentrify the poorly kept area that is Chinatown, starting with my street. BUT, even with this ulterior motive in mind, I could not in good conscience recommend this place. The review starts out with the pro (singular for those paying attention)...
It's cheap. $10 for a cut is by far the cheapest I've found while scouring Chinatown for a legitimate barber. People would rave about cheap haircut for guys but at a $18 price tag, dat no cheap my friend. I'm a student. I'm poor. I'm asian. But I digress....
Now for the rest of the story. I walk down into the basement of probably the most shady building on the block and enter into the Magic Touch Salon. I half expected it to be a brothel with such a name but asked how much it was for a haircut anyways. Pleasantly surprised I sat down. I then proceeded to describe the haircut I wanted to a confused looking man. After I was done, I asked "Yes?" He responded--"Yes." Slightly assuaged...I allowed him to cut my hair. I'll cut this story short (har har) and say, to my fear, his first stroke of the razor reestablished my initial trepidations. Too short. I knew it in my gut after getting the same haircut for 7 some years. It was not a 3 as requested. I threw out a test and asked..."how long you been cutting hair?" Silence. I ask again. His response put the fear of god in me: "No engrish." How the fuck do you start cutting someones hair and not even understand what they specified for. At least tell the customer you are a lazy sack of shit that is in the service industry and not committed enough to even learn the basics of the english language related to your craft. Sorry about that last statement...I just caught a glimpse of my own hair in the reflection of my window and suppressed anger was reignited. Anyways...you can predict the rest. I did not tip and walked out.
Chinatown. I tried. read more